Changeable illuminated display device



L. H. WILLIAMS.

CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 192 0.

Patented July 19, 1921.

metal and wood, the

LYONS H. WILLIAMS,

or NonroLx, v11; onmsmnnn rnnumrnmrnn mm DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

GINIA.

Patented July 19, 1921.

Application filed March 9, 1920. Serial No. 864,452.

To allwhomz'tman concem: 2

Be it knownthat I, Lyons H. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State ofVirginia, have invented certainnew and useful Improvementsin ChangeableIlluminated Display Devices, of which thefollowing is a specification.The primary object of the invention is the provision of a display deviceprimarily designed for illuminatmn that is exceedingly aim 1e andinexpensive to manufacture, as wel as li ht-in weight calculated foreasily and quic ly changing the subject matter visually displayed to thepurchasing Ipublic.

In carrying out my invention have aimed at producing a casingor holderposmessing great strength and durability as well as lightness in weightby the particular manner of its construction from sheet desideratumbeing the provision of an advertising device highly 1 ornamental inappearance and of such low cost that any merchant having one or moresales departments cannot afford to be without the device.

The usual lighting facilities of a building such. as electric lights areadapted for employment with the invention without requiring additionalconnections while display members or signs made as artistic andattractive as desired are instantly changed at the will of the owner.

My invention consists ofthe novel combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described in the accompanying drawing settingforth the preferred embodiment thereof, and in which like referencecharacters designate corresponding arts thoughout the several views.

In the rawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete invention illustratingits manner of use,

Fig. 2 is a central transverse vertical sectional view thereofillustrating by dotted lines one of the slides or signs removed from thecasing and broken awa Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectlonal viewof an end Iportion of the device taken upon line 111- II of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail pe tive view of an upper corner portion ofthe device, showing the slot formation employed.

ferring more in detail to the drawlng, my invention comprises arectangular metal the top and bottom having angularly bent end flanges13, overlapping the upper and lower edges ofthe ends 10 and secured inany desired manner. A circular opening 14, centrally of the top 11,ofpthc frame, is adapted to receive an electric drop light such as 15,suspended by the usual conducting cord16. Hooks 17 at the endsof theframe are attached to support ing wires or similar means 18; whereby theframers suspended at the roper elevation for maintaining the drop lightor lamp 15, substantially centrally within the device.

Parallel slots 19 are formed in the to 11 by cutting the metal formingthe top ongltudlnally and transversely at 20, formmg the endsof theslots 19, with opposite portions of the severed metal bent angularlyinwardly forming parallel guide flanges 21, at the opposite margins ofthe slots 19. A triangular sheet metal brace 22 within the upper cornersof the frame are soldered or otherwise secured centrally between theadjacent portions of the ends 10 and top 11 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings.

right guide "strips 23 arranged in para1 clism are flatly secured to theinner sides of the ends 10 having the adjacent inner flanges 21 of theslots 19 countersunk in the other ends of said strips as at 24.

A rectangular margin member or stay 25 formed of wood is closely fittedwithin each open side of the metal frame heretofore described, withlongitudinal ooves 26 provided in the upper rail 2? of each stay member25, adapted for snugly receiving the adjacent outer flange 21 of theslots 19 when the stays 25 are in their assembled positions with theouter faces of the stays 25 flush with the edges of the top, bottom andends of the frame. The fitting of the stays 25 into the outer sides ofthe frame insures great strength and stability to the device by reasonof the flanges 21 which strengthen the top 11 and are incapable ofvertical edgewise bending being fitted within the grooves 26 with theinner edges 27 of the flanges contacting the longitudinal shoulders 28at the bottom or lower sides of said grooves 26.

Display slides or signs 29 are provided with seml-transparent panels 30upon which panels suitable advertising matter or announcements arearranged such as the words 31 and picture 32. The slides 29 are providedwith handles 33 upon the top thereof, and it will be understood that mymeans are handles 33. The signs 29 may be readily inserted through theslots 19 for sliding downwardly into the frame between the stays 25 andend strips 23 with the panels 30 positioned outwardly substantiallycontacting the inner faces of the stays 25 for viewing therethrough. Thedrop light illuminates the panels rendering thewords 31. and picture 32moredistinct while it will be understood that the signs 29-are readilyremoved from the frame by means of the handles 33 for changing the signsto advertise difi'erent goods or display any different subject matterthat may be found desirable. a

I A sheet metal frame of the form herein described having the cornerbraces 22 and strengthening flanges, 21 cooperating with the marginalstays provides a structure of light weight and great strength, the

formation of the slots -19 in the manner described providing serviceableentrance guides for the signs 29. In stores the different counters,booths or departments may be properly designated by the use of my deviceand the signs displayed thereby varied and :changed at will. 1

1 The opening-14 for accommodating the electrical'connections for thelamp 15, may

; be changed to suit requirements, such as providing asmall tube orconduit through the top 11 0f the frame through which the -wire 16 will'pass. It will be evident that the construction disclosed may be formedcompletely of metal or wood excepting the panels 30 while the differentkinds of wood such as mahogany may be used and suit able finishing suchas oak or other finish may be provided for either the metal or the wood.

While the form of the invention herein set forth is believed preferable,it will be understood that" changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of m invention.

Having thus escribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A device of the class described comprising a metal rectangular framewith top, bottom and ends, the top of the frame having a central openingadapted for the reception of a lamp therethrough, and with alongitudinal slot having inwardly projecting oppositely positionedmarginal flanges adapted for the guiding reception of a sign whenpositioned within the frame, upright guide strips secured to the ends ofthe frame between the top and bottom thereof with the inner one of saidflanges countersunk in the upper end portions of said strips and arectangular sta closely fitted within the open side of the rame having alongitudinal groove in the upper rail of the stay snugly receiving theouter flange of the slot when the device is assembled with the' outerface of the stay flush with the adjacent edges of the top, bottom andends of the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

